‘Even if I must be a club driver’: Clayton Daniels on retirement plans

Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Ajax Cape Town defender Clayton Daniels has revealed his intentions regarding a potential retirement in the near future.

Daniels, 40, is currently in the books of the SAFA Western Cape ABC Motsepe League club Crystal Palace FC. Palace bought Ikapa Sporting FC’s Motsepe League status before the commencement of the new campaign.

He joined the amateur side at the beginning of the 2024/25 campaign after leaving Cape Town Spurs in March 2024.

The Manenberg-based club, captained by Daniels, has played six games in Stream A of its provincial ABC Motsepe League. In these six games, they have accumulated 11 points, placing them third in their stream.

CLAYTON DANIELS ON WHETHER HE PLANS TO RETIRE SOON

Following his departure from Spurs last year, there were claims suggesting that Daniels intends to continue playing until he is 42, although he maintains that he never made such a statement.

Daniels does not intend to retire from playing anytime soon, even if it requires becoming the kit man or serving as the club driver. He will continue to play as long as he is in a training setting where he feels valued and is helping someone become the next Clayton Daniels.

“You know, I never even said that. You say things, and people put them in their own words. As long as I’m on the football field and in a training environment, I want to be where I can give back to the community and the players in an environment where people appreciate me. I will give my best,” Daniels told FARPost.

“So, even if it means I must be the kit man, or even if I must be the driver, the player, or a coach, it doesn’t matter. For me, I love football. Football is my heartbeat. So, that is all about it. If I could help the next person grow and become the next Clayton Daniels, why not? That is my love for the game.

“People who know me know I would do anything for football. However, I won’t say that I won’t retire in the future. I don’t care about what people say; I do my job and give my best, whether it is from the field or the bench.”

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